"Control?"
Gilbert's gaze shifted, but with his experience, he maintained a mild and steady tone:
"Forgive my dullness, I fail to grasp your meaning."
Thales looked deeply at him.
"No, Gilbert," Thales smiled:
"You are the smartest person in this royal court, smart enough to know when to feign ignorance."
The dim lights in the hallway cast Gilbert's face into a solemn expression.
"You know very well, since the moment you brought me into Mindis Hall, everything that I have and have achieved: whether it's convincing the Duke of the North to patiently listen to me by using the prince's name, forcing Dragon Sky City to practice restraint due to mutual interests, or getting a handful of people to willingly obey me through my status and identity, including my strenuous efforts to prevent conflict, to avert disaster, and to aid friends..."
Thales' smile gradually solidified:
"All of this, ultimately, stems from him."
